Bunkhouses

For a real getting back to basics holiday experience, throw out the fancy clothes, pack the essentials and head to a bunkhouse. With all the basic facilities that you need, a bunkhouse offers a hostel experience stripped back, and is a true escape from the stresses, strains and business of 21st century (urban) life.

Whether you fancy a solitary break, getting back to nature; or you want to hire out a whole bunkhouse for yourself and friends or family, this is a great way to explore the countryside without having to pack a tent or worry about keeping out the wind and rain.

Bunkhouses are often situated in remote and beautiful wilderness areas and offer access to parts of the world, plus a place to lay your head, that you might not otherwise be able to get to - and usually at an extremely bargain price. Take a look at some of the best eco-friendly bunkhouses around below.

Formerly known as Llwyn y Celyn YHA Brecon Beacons is set in 15 acres of ancient woodland, overlooking the River Tarell with views towards Y Gyrn - great countryside for walking or cycling holidays. Tasty home-cooked food and local ales served.

A wonderfully restored mill for quality B&B with adjacent bunkhouse and small campsite in a cider orchard on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park close to the second-hand book town of Hay-on-Wye. All meals vegetarian, fair trade and organic.

At the heart of a Suffolk village on the edge of Blaxhall Heath surrounded by wildlife and beautiful countryside you will find dog friendly YHA Blaxhall. Perfect for bird watching, cycling and walking or indulge in the local delicious sea food.

Situated in the beautiful Forest of Bowland, and with a campsite, B&B and self-catering house, the Dalesbridge Centre offers accommodation to suit the needs of all comers, whether groups or individuals.

Rooms: Camping pitches, bunk houses, B&B and self-catering rooms

Price:

Tent from £6 per night; Caravan from £25; B&B double from £70; Self-catering house from £1,750 per week; 4-bed bunkhouse from £70 per night.

Fernhill Farm, a herd of cowsheds on a 160-acre working farm in the Mendips, converted into an alternative, relaxed accommodation for up to 55 people in eco-camping barns and Ramshackle Arcs. Super green & earnest, groups from 10-200 catered for.

Dale House Barn and B&B is a small family business in a fantastically remote location within the stunning Forest of Bowland, Lancashire – an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB). Stay in the camping barn or one of the 2 en-suite b&b rooms.

These bunkhouses are fantastic for groups of any size - you have exclusive hire but only pay per bed used. Characterful Nethy House accommodates 25 to 65 people; smaller Nethy station sleeps 10 to 26. Walks, castles, lochs and distilleries beckon.

Offering comfortable self-catering accommodation for up to six people in the beautiful surroundings of Monmouthshire, Middle Ninfa provides both rustic charm and modern conveniences. Also home to a small, unspoilt campsite.

Rooms: Bunkhouse sleeps 6

Price:

Camping from £5 per person per night; Bunkhouse £15 per person per night or £60/70 for whole building

Simple, clean and comfortable accommodation on this organic working farm in the North Pennines. Situated within the ‘Heart of Hadrian’s Wall’, this is an ideal location for lovers of walking, cycling, horse riding and pony trekking.

Surrounded by gorgeous scenery, this fun-filled organic working farm is ideal for families, providing a range of educational and leisure activities, from zorbing, paintballing and white water rafting to rambling and birdwatching.

Located right at the foot of Mount Snowdon, this bunkhouse is the perfect place to stay for those wanting to be right out in the wilderness. There are opportunities for hiking, climbing, cycling and canoeing right out of the door.

Rooms: 3: 6 beds in each room (bunkhouse sleeps 18)

Price:

Rooms are £100 per night (£16.66 per person), whole Bunkhouse is £300 per night.

The Moorhen, a high quality bed & breakfast, located next to the River Bure, is less than a minute’s walk from two riverside pubs and an outstanding fish restaurant, in the heart of the beautiful village of Horning, the jewel of Norfolk Broads.

Rooms: 6 doubles plus family rooms and bunkhouse.

Price:

£80 per room for 1 night 10% discount for 3 nights or more £60 single occupancy per night B&B £100 per family per night, 2 adults and up to 3 children (or 4 adults)

Ten cottages in converted farm buildings, a clutch of wooden wigwams, a bunkhouse sleeping 32 for family reunions or groups of friends, and a beautiful campsite. The coast is within touching distance, as are the area's historic sights. Fabulous.

A 17th century Manor House overlooking the River Ribble, with five fully equipped campsites, each with their own unique landscaping. Waddow is within easy reach of some beautiful trails within the Lancashire countryside.

This fabulous conference centre is hidden in the middle of a forest – a great away-from-it-all venue for a business meetings or family gatherings. Choose from double rooms, cabins in the woods or camping. There's a great restaurant onsite, too.

The idea of a five-star hostel may seem somewhat contradictory, but this place pulls it off with style. Communal areas are modern and stylish and the facilities are excellent. Balmoral Castle is nearby along with many walking and cycling trails.

Beautiful, off-grid camping barn in ancient woodland, very close to Coniston Water. A fantastic eco-holiday retreat, remote and secluded but just a one minute walk through the SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) woods to the lakeside.

Get back to basics at this clean, comfortable and friendly bunkhouse and its adjoining campsite. Not only is it surrounded by the glorious scenery of the North Pennines, it also boasts its own beautiful patch of woodland and wildflower meadow.

Broxtead

Glamp it up on the 3000 acre Broxtead country estate in an authentic tipi, or opt to stay in one of their newly converted Suffolk barns. The tipis themselves stand on large wooden decks in two separate locations, each sleeping up to eight adults. They both come with their own fire hearth inside for cosy nights under canvas and a BBQ area outside with a fire pit for cooking and heating water in the large kettle provided. The three barns sleep between two and eight people, all thoughtfully converted to preserve authentic elements of their agricultural past as such as the exposed timbers and weather boards. Whilst modern touches such as flat screen TV’s, free WiFi and spacious, fully equipped kitchens bring them bang up to date.

Bivouac

The proud winner of the 2012 Friends of Nidderdale AONB Conservation Award, Bivouac is a charming, eco-friendly place to stay with woodland shacks (sleeping up to seven), yurts (sleeping up to five) and a camping barn. Everything’s been created with the environment in mind – a carbon neutral wood chip boiler and wood burners supply heat, there’s no electricity and water is recycled. Set in the Swinton Estate, the views over valley and moorland are outstanding – and there’s ya ‘Druid’s Temple’ stone circle in the grounds. There’s a great café that’s open all day and the bar’s open until 11.30pm at weekends.